Central Florida employers now have extra time to throw their hats in the ring for one of the region's most prestigious workplace recognitions. The deadline for nominations for the Central Florida Top Workplaces program has been extended, giving local businesses and organizations another opportunity to be considered for the annual awards.
The program, which highlights the best places to work across the greater Orlando area and Central Florida region, is open to any organization with 35 or more employees. Standout companies and organizations that make the cut will be honored at a ceremony in fall 2026.
What Is the Top Workplaces Program?
The Top Workplaces program is a nationally recognized initiative that identifies organizations where employees feel valued, engaged, and supported. Unlike many awards programs that rely on corporate applications and self-reported metrics, Top Workplaces is based entirely on confidential employee feedback surveys.
The surveys are administered by Energage, a Philadelphia-based research company that specializes in workplace culture. Energage evaluates responses across several key areas, including alignment, effectiveness, connection, management, engagement, leadership, and workplace fundamentals such as pay, benefits, and flexibility.
Organizations don't need to nominate themselves — anyone can submit a nomination, whether it's an employee, a customer, a business partner, or even a competitor who recognizes a great workplace culture. Once nominated, participating organizations distribute the confidential survey to their employees, and results determine whether they qualify as a Top Workplace.
Who Is Eligible to Participate?
Any organization headquartered in or with significant operations in the Central Florida region is eligible, provided it has a minimum of 35 employees. This includes private companies, public corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions.
The program recognizes winners across multiple size categories, ensuring that smaller organizations aren't competing directly against corporate giants. Categories are typically broken down into small, midsize, and large employers, giving businesses of varying scales a fair shot at recognition.
Past honorees in the Central Florida region have spanned a wide range of industries, from healthcare systems and technology firms to hospitality companies and financial institutions. Given Central Florida's diverse economic landscape — anchored by tourism, defense, healthcare, and a growing tech sector — the list of Top Workplaces tends to reflect the breadth of the local economy.
Why the Recognition Matters for Local Employers
In today's competitive labor market, being named a Top Workplace carries significant weight. Central Florida has experienced rapid population growth in recent years, and the job market has become increasingly competitive as employers vie for talented workers across multiple industries.
For companies trying to attract and retain top talent, a Top Workplaces designation serves as a powerful recruiting tool. It signals to prospective employees that an organization has a proven track record of investing in its people and fostering a positive work environment.
The recognition also provides valuable internal benefits. The employee survey process itself gives leadership teams actionable data about what's working and what needs improvement within their organizations. Many past participants have credited the survey results with helping them identify blind spots in their workplace culture and make meaningful changes.
Organizations that prioritize employee engagement and workplace culture tend to outperform their peers in productivity, retention, and overall business performance, according to research from Energage.
Central Florida's Growing and Evolving Workforce
The timing of the extended deadline comes as Central Florida continues to experience significant economic growth and transformation. The region's workforce has expanded considerably, driven by major developments in the theme park industry, a booming construction and real estate sector, and the continued growth of the healthcare and technology corridors along the I-4 corridor.
Companies like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and AdventHealth remain among the region's largest employers, but the Central Florida economy has diversified substantially. The emergence of Lake Nona's Medical City, the expansion of the University of Central Florida's research partnerships, and a growing startup ecosystem have all contributed to a more dynamic employment landscape.
With more options available to workers, employers that fail to prioritize workplace culture risk losing talent to competitors who do. Programs like Top Workplaces help raise the bar across the region by celebrating organizations that get it right.
How to Nominate an Organization
Nominations for the Central Florida Top Workplaces program can be submitted online. The process is straightforward — nominators simply provide the organization's name, basic contact information, and a brief explanation of why they believe the company deserves recognition.
There is no cost to participate in the program. Once an organization is nominated and agrees to participate, Energage handles the survey distribution and analysis at no charge to the employer.
With the deadline now extended, Central Florida employers and their advocates have additional time to ensure deserving organizations are considered. Winners will be announced and celebrated at an awards event in fall 2026, with full lists of honored companies published for the community to see.
For anyone who knows a great place to work in the Orlando area, now is the time to make sure that organization gets the recognition it deserves.
